ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Contamination of Red Sea Shrimp
(Palaemon serratus) with Polycyclic Aromatic
Hydrocarbons: a Health Risk
Assessment Study
Rim A. Hussein1, Khalid A. Al-Ghanim2, Magda M. Abd-El-Atty1, Laila A. Mohamed3
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1Environmental Health Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University,
Egypt
2Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University,
Saudi Arabia
3Marine Chemistry Lab, Environmental Division, National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries,
Egypt
Submission date: 2015-06-06
Acceptance date: 2015-11-26
Publication date: 2016-03-17
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2016;25(2):615-620
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ABSTRACT
The aquatic environment of the Red Sea is facing many threats resulting from land-based activities.
The aim of the present study was to measure the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs) in Red Sea shrimp and to assess the health risk resulting from their consumption.
Gas chromatography/fl ame ionization detection was used for PAH detection.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exceeded the maximum residue levels authorized in crustaceans.
They were found to be of pyrogenic source, and their total toxicity equivalent concentration was
0.03078 μg g-1. Assessment of cancer risk resulting from consumption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarboncontaminated
shrimp proved that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency risk goal of 10-6 has been
exceeded. Continuous monitoring programs for air, water, and sediment quality are therefore recommended.